The Boston Celtics ruled out third-year forward Jayson Tatum ahead of Sunday’s game against the New Orleans Pelicans.
Both teams decided to close their locker rooms after word of Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant’s untimely demise spread, which is undoubtedly affecting several players who were close to the star, particularly Tatum.
The Duke product has been recuperating from a groin injury sustained against the Memphis Grizzlies on Jan. 22, and the team is playing it safe with the high-recurrence injury.
The All-Star hopeful has been having an outstanding season to date, averaging 21.5 points, 6.9 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game.
Guards Marcus Smart and Jaylen Brown are available to play, the latter having a sprained left hand and the former a sprained right ankle.
Their presence should help the banged-up Celtics considerably as they try for their fourth consecutive win against the Pelicans in the two clubs’ first meeting since highly-anticipated rookie Zion Williamson’s debut.
